Fibrocystic Breasts: Essential Information and Treatments

Many women have been here before: you are doing your
monthly self-exam or just happen to brush your chest by accident and you notice
it – your breasts suddenly feel more swollen, have a different texture, or even
feel lumpier than they did yesterday.
Panic ensues, you check, and double check, and then call your doctor to
demand the next available appointment.

Is it cancer? Is it pre-cancer? Most likely, it is a
condition known as fibrocystic breasts.
Also called cystic breasts, fibrocystic breast changes, mammary
dysplasia, or fibrocystic breast disease, this condition occurs in the week
before menstruation starts due to hormonal changes in the female body. Characterized by a noticeable shift in breast
tissue texture and the development of lumps, fibrocystic breasts are considered
by the mainstream medical community to be a benign and very common issue. They
are also easily treated and managed through a variety of simple remedies.

We here at Health911 understand that when it comes
to any changes in breast tissue the first thought that comes to a woman’s mind
is breast cancer. The good news is that
the process used to distinguish between fibrocystic breasts, an almost
universally experienced condition, and breast cancer, a significantly less
common disease, is quick and easy.

However, we cannot emphasize enough the importance
of seeking a professional medical examination of your symptoms as soon as you
notice them. Many women put off visits to the doctor for fear of the diagnosis,
yet the key to improving your symptoms, no matter what you are dealing with, is
an early diagnosis.

To empower you as a patient and provide you as
much information as possible, Health911 has compiled a comprehensive guide to fibrocystic
breasts and how to manage them.

This document contains the following information
related to fibrocystic breasts:

What are Fibrocystic breasts?

Symptoms of Fibrocystic breasts

Causes of Fibrocystic breasts

Diagnosing Fibrocystic breasts

Treatment for Fibrocystic breasts

Note: Health911 presents the following
information for educational purposes only and does not claim it is a
replacement for the recommendations of a trained professional. Before you start or stop any form of
supplementation or medication, check with your health care provider.

What are Fibrocystic Breasts?

Fibrocystic breast disease is a condition that
occurs due to changes in a woman’s hormone levels at the peak of her menstrual
cycle. While the condition may seem dangerous or indicative of a serious
problem, fibrocystic breasts are actually exceptionally normal and harmless.
Dr. Adriane Fugh-Berman even goes so far as to say that “Lumpy breasts are
normal.”

In fact, over the past several decades the modern
medical community has admitted that referring to it as a “disease” is a misnomer.

Fibrocystic breasts are very common among women of
childbearing years. While there is no
exact statistic for the condition, estimates range from 50% to 80% of the
female population experience symptoms of the condition.

While fibrocystic breasts may be uncomfortable,
there are a variety of at home remedies and lifestyle changes that a woman can
implement to reduce the effect of fibrocystic breasts and prevent the monthly
aggravation of the condition.

Symptoms

Symptoms of fibrocystic breasts can vary from woman
to woman, however the most common symptom is the formation of a non-cancerous
lump typically located on the upper breast or outer side of the breast up to
the armpit. It is normal for a woman to
notice more than one lump at a time. These lumps, individually referred to as
“fibroids,” become noticeable a week before a woman’s period is due to start,
and typically subside as soon as bleeding begins. Some women may be able to feel the lumps all
month long but notice they become more tender or swell to a larger size during
the final week of her cycle.

In addition to the development or swelling of
fibroids, a woman may notice that the texture and consistency of all of her
breast tissue changes. Most of the time,
breast tissue feels slightly dense, smooth, and soft; during the majority of a
woman’s cycle, the breast tissue does not feel tender, sore, or uncomfortable
to the touch. However, women who
experience fibrocystic breasts note that during the final week of their cycle
their breast tissue become denser and feels bumpy. Some common words used to
describe this sensation include “cobblestoned” and “lumpy;” it has also been
explained as feeling like corduroy under the skin. Dr. Jonathan Wright, noted
alternative remedy practitioner, notes that sometimes the symptoms can be so
severe that “some women have cysts so painful they can’t lie on their stomachs
or even be hugged without pain.”

Women may also experience dull pain or an itching
sensation on and around the nipples, or a sensation of fullness (which some
women describe as “swollen”).

These symptoms start around day 21 of the menstrual
cycle and build daily in severity until they reach their peak of discomfort
just before menstruation begins. Most
women notice that their symptoms disappear or lessen dramatically as soon as
bleeding begins.

However, over time, some women note that the
tenderness, fibroids, or other symptoms of the condition stop waxing and waning
with their cycles. As Susan M. Lark,
M.D., writes “With repeated cycles of hormonal stimulation, the breast cysts
may become chronically inflamed and surrounded by fibrous tissue which can
harden and thicken the cysts. It is then more difficult for the fluid trapped
in the cysts to escape and be reabsorbed by the body.” To relieve the pressure and discomfort of
these harder cysts, as well as distinguish them from cancerous cysts, a simple
procedure is performed where the cyst is drained of fluid. This process may need to be repeated
occasionally as fluid rebuilds inside the tissue.

It is important to note that the symptoms of
fibrocystic breasts are different from those of breast cancer. While the thought of a lump, any kind of
lump, in the breast triggers fears of cancers, benign and malignant lumps are
very different in texture and density.
In her article “Solutions to Your Tough Problems,” found in the December
2002 edition of Natural Health Magazine, Julia Tolliver Maranan notes that
“Although it can be difficult to distinguish between fibrocystic tissue and
cancer, cancer is usually fixed and hard, whereas fibrocystic lumps are easy to
move around and have a rubbery or soft texture.” Furthermore, cancerous lumps are noticeable
at all stages of the menstrual cycle and do not wax and wane with hormonal
changes.

To help further distinguish this condition from
cancer or another breast condition, here are some symptoms that are not associated with fibrocystic
breast disease. When you have
fibrocystic breasts, you should not experience:

Any type of irregular nipple discharge

Bleeding from the nipples

A growth or firming of specific lumps over time

Changes in breast skin, such as the development
of a rash, redness, or the formation of dimples

Changes in nipple angle (pointing more down,
sideways or up than normal)

The inversion of the nipple into the body

Discoloration of the nipple or areola

Changing in shape of the areola

If you experience any of the above symptoms,
contact your medical professional immediately for a thorough examination.

Causes

The cause of fibrocystic breasts has not been
conclusively identified, however there is no doubt among the medical community
that the development and continuation of the condition is linked to key female
hormones, genetic predisposition, and certain dietary elements.

The
Estrogen-Progesterone Relationship

In the female body, there are two hormones that work
together to manage the reproductive cycle: estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen
is arguably the most essential hormone involved in all elements of creating,
supporting, birthing, and then sustaining a baby. Levels of estrogen in a woman’s body change
throughout her 28 day cycle, peaking at the end of the second week and
triggering the release of an egg from one of the ovaries. In addition to running the menstrual cycle,
estrogen is also key for preparing the body for pregnancy and initiating the
lactation process. Estrogen also serves important functions outside of the
reproductive cycle, including reducing calcium loss, maintaining a clear
complexion, providing energy, and clearing cholesterol blockages from the
coronary arteries.

Progesterone, another key female hormone, works in
tandem with estrogen in the reproductive process; its basic role is to provide
a natural partner and counterbalance to estrogen. In addition to promoting emotional balance,
progesterone counteracts the effects of estrogen in many ways, such as reducing
water retention and assisting in the proper processing of alcohol, sugar, and
fatter foods. When progesterone levels
are too low, the effects of estrogen become more pronounced.

Progesterone is so successful in managing the
effects of estrogen that it is often given in prescription form to help women
reduce the symptoms of severe PMS. Many
birth control pills utilize a special ratio of progesterone to estrogen to
prevent ovulation as well as reduce water retention and heavy menstrual
flow.

Even though these two hormones are responsible for
many positive things in the female body, when they are out of balance or at
unnaturally high levels they can also be a dangerous factor. When there is too
much progesterone in the body, a woman can experience symptoms of fatigue,
muscle soreness, weight gain, and increased appetite. When a woman is experiencing unnaturally high
estrogen levels, the dangers are considerably more sinister. This scenario is referred to as estrogen
dominance.

Estrogen Dominance

Dr. Susan M. Lark writes, “The main hormones
implicated in the worsening of breast symptoms premenstrually include estrogen,
the main female hormone, and prolactin, the milk release hormone secreted by
the pituitary gland. Dr. Aftab J. Ahmed
calls estrogen the “most important factor in breast pathology,” and has stated
that it is a “turncoat agent.”

Estrogen dominance, a condition that occurs when
there are abnormally high levels of estrogen in the body and reduced levels of
progesterone, has been linked not only to the development of fibrocystic
breasts but also to the development of breast cancer. It can also cause water retention, weight
gain (as it affects the body’s ability to process fat), uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and cervical dysplasia.
Some indications of too much estrogen in the body include insomnia, tremors,
sensitive skin, short term memory problems, heavy menstrual period symptoms,
and severe PMS.

A woman’s estrogen levels can be increased through a
variety of factors. Certain medications,
such as cortisone creams or antidepressants, can trigger an increase in
estrogen production. Stress, either physical or emotional, can also prompt the
body to produce more estrogen than normal.
Some types of foods, particularly alcohol, sugar, fried foods, and food
high in fat, have also been linked to abnormal estrogen production. Soy beans naturally contain estrogen, which
the body treats as its own, meaning that the higher the soy content of the diet
the more estrogen the body is absorbing and utilizing.

Unfortunately, many other foods in the municipal
supply are unnaturally tainted with estrogen due to the common use of
pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals, designed to protect healthy foods
like vegetables and fruits from rot and pests, contain compounds that mimic
estrogen. When these foods are eaten,
the chemicals are ingested and treated as self-made estrogen particles, causing
an increase in estrogen related activity in the body.

The forms of estrogen present in these chemicals are
called xenoestrogens. Unlike natural forms of estrogen, xenoestrogens are
synthetic compounds that are the result of industrial production. In addition
to being found in pesticides and other chemicals, xenoestrogens are also found
in the plastic used for water bottles and storage containers. In 2008, a study was published in Environmental
Science Technology that stated fish who were exposed to wastewater that was
tainted with xenoestrogens experienced significant reproductive problems,
including growths on the ovaries. The
growing concern among the mainstream medical community is that these synthetic
estrogen compounds cause as much, if not more, harm to the general population
than natural estrogen dominance alone; furthermore, there is increasing fear
over just how much of these chemicals humans are exposed to on a daily basis.

It is important to keep in mind that there are
several different types of estrogen present in the female body, and that the
carcinogenic form that has been linked to breast cancer is not the form linked
to the development of fibrocystic breasts. It is possible, and very common, to
have a high amount of one type of estrogen and a normal amount of the other
types of estrogen, which is why fibrocystic breasts are not considered a
precursor to cancer. Click here to read more about estrogen dominance.

Other
Theories

Some medical professionals have identified caffeine
as a major cause of fibrocystic breasts. Dr. Lark supports this theory and
noted in The Women’s Health Companion that
“Dietary factors have also been implicated. These include caffeine intake from
coffee, black teas, colas, and chocolate, as well as excessive saturated fat
and salt.” Health writer Julia Tolliver
Maranan notes that “Caffeinated drinks and foods like coffee and chocolate
contain a chemical that over stimulates breast tissue in some women, causing
pain.” She also points out that diets
that are high in fat can trigger an increase in estrogen production which can
cause fibroids to develop.

Another element that some specialists believe plays
a part in the development of fibrocystic breasts is using a bra. Ralph L. Reed, Ph.D., points to a study done
by Dr. Gregory Heigh in Florida that reported over 90% of women noted an
improvement of fibrocystic breast symptoms when they stopped wearing a bra. He
also notes that several recent studies have linked bra usage to a higher
incidence of breast cancer. Sydney Ross
Singer and Soma Grismaijer, authors of the 1995 book Dressed to Kill: The Link
Between Breast cancer and Bras, studied over 5000 women and concluded that
a woman’s incidence rate for cancer was linked to the number of hours per day
she wore a bra.

Dr. Reed reports that this link is due to the fact
that “bras can bind and constrict the lymphatic circulation. This prevents the natural flushing out of
accumulated cancer-causing wastes and toxins from the breast. Fluid pooling could then result in fibrocystic
changes (benign lumps, cysts, and pain).”
He also notes that bras often constrict the natural movement of breasts
and therefore reduce blood circulation, causing the breast equivalent of the
“falling asleep” feeling limbs experience when circulation is blocked.

This potential cause, while supported by several
experts, is more of a fringe theory at this point and has yet to gain serious
traction in the mainstream medical community.
Also, it supposes a link between fibrocystic breasts and the development
of breast cancer, something that is controversial among most medical
professionals.

How is It Diagnosed

The number one concern when diagnosing fibrocystic
breasts is whether lumps are cancerous or benign. We here at Health911 recommend that all women
who notice lumps in their breast tissue immediately make an appointment with
their medical professional to be thoroughly examined. If the lump is malignant, the chances for a
full and speedy recovery are exponentially increased if treatment is given
early. Please don’t self-diagnose –
educate yourself on the options and visit a health care professional as soon as
possible.

The first tool in the diagnosis process is one every
woman can, and should, do at home on a regular basis: the self-exam. Julia
Tolliver Maranan writes, “Whether your breasts are lumpy or not, you should
know their topography so you can detect potentially cancerous changes.” Do a
self-exam a few days after every period.”

To perform an accurate self exam, you need to do
each breast twice, once in a standing position and once laying down on your
back. This is because standing does not
provide adequate access to the under portion of the breast, and laying down
makes reaching the sides appropriately a challenge. Here are some quick-tips on performing the
self-exam:

Start at the nipple. With the pads of your index, middle, and ring
finger, gently press down and massage the area, noting the texture and
consistency of the tissue under the skin.

Slowly work your way in a clockwise spiral out
from the nipple, making sure you cover all areas of the breast

Remember to check the tissue in between the two
breasts (you should be able to feel the sternum bone very clearly under the
skin)

Continue the exam on the sides of the breast out
and up toward the armpit

If you find an area that feels a little
different to you than the rest, before you panic do the symmetry test – find
the same location on your other breast and check for the same feeling. If it is identical, then it is a safe
assumption that it is normal. Just make
a note of it, keep an eye on it, and remember to share this discovery with your
health care provider at your next appointment.

If you perform your self-exam every day, you
will notice the natural changes and shifts that take place in the tissue as you
move through your menstrual cycle.

The reason the self-exam is so important is that it
provides you a base understanding of what is normal for you. Every woman’s breasts are unique, and
everyone has their own “normal.” By
understanding what is normal for your breasts, you are in a better position to
identify any changes that occur.
Furthermore, by performing the exam routinely every month, you are in a
better position to pick up on changes that occur while they are still in the
early stages.

Self-Exam
Tip: If you find it
hard to remember to perform an exam every month, set up a reminder for yourself
on your Smartphone, email service, or in your day planner.

After you have identified something out of the
ordinary in your monthly self-exam, you need to set up an immediate appointment
with your health care professional for a clinical exam. At this appointment, they will ask you
questions about your general health and lifestyle as well as specific questions
about the changes you notice. Try to be
as specific as possible with details about when you first noticed the change,
where you were in your cycle, how it feels to the touch, if other symptoms
where associated with it, and how it has continued to change since you first
noticed it.

During their examination, your health care
professional will perform a physical exam on both your breasts to try to
identify the change themselves. If they
do not notice anything themselves, they may take a “wait and see” approach and
ask you to keep an eye on it for several weeks or update them on the change
after your next menstruation. At that
point, they will re-examine you and repeat the process.

If they do notice the change, they may then
recommend other testing to complete the diagnosis. Here are several of the tests your medical
professional may employ to diagnose your breast changes:

Fine-needle
aspiration: a procedure where a needle is inserted into the area where a
lump is felt to try to draw out any fluid. If the fluid is yellowish, the cyst
is benign and a diagnosis of fibrocystic breasts will likely be given. If the
fluid is bloody or no fluid comes out then further testing is required to rule
out breast cancer.

Ultrasound:
an ultrasound may be used on the breast tissue to identify areas that are
thicker in density than others or pinpoint exactly where a lump is and how
dense it is. If the lump appears to be
not solid, as it is hard on the outside and liquid on the inside, a fine-need
aspiration may be performed to confirm a diagnosis of fibrocystic breasts. However, if the ultrasound shows the lump to
be solid throughout then a biopsy will be taken to analyze the tissue.

Mammography:
this technique uses an x-ray machine to identify areas of calcium deposits
in the breasts that are indicative of cysts.
Unlike a regular, screening mammogram, a mammogram performed when a lump
is suspected uses a much higher magnification to provide more detail on the
potential cysts.

Thermography:
this procedure has received significant praise over the past several years
as an improved alternative to mammograms.
It utilizes infra red cameras to track how much heat is being emitted
from the breast. During the test, the
amount of heat radiating from the body will be measured to provide a baseline
reading. A second reading will be
performed several minutes later after the patient is exposed to cool
temperatures (typically in the form of ice on the hands and feet). If the amount of radiant heat from the
breasts does not drop between the two tests, it can be an indication of cancer.
However, it is important to note that unlike other forms of breast testing,
thermography is as yet unregulated and there is no required degree or license
necessary to perform it.

Biopsy: a
biopsy is performed when the other diagnostic techniques do not clearly
indicate fibrocystic breasts. It removes some of the actual cyst tissue, not
simply the fluid, so it can be analyzed for indications of cancerous growth or
other disease. Results are returned from
the laboratory in about a week, after which an appropriate diagnosis will be
given.

Depending on the results from the various
diagnostic procedures your health care professionals use, a diagnosis of
fibrocystic breasts may be given. If
this is the case, there is a variety of at home remedies and lifestyle
adjustments you can employ to reduce the discomfort of the condition.

Natural Treatments

Fibrocystic breasts, while uncomfortable and at
times a little scary, can be treated through a variety of at home remedies and
lifestyle adjustments. Unfortunately,
there is no cure for fibrocystic breasts.
However, these treatment options have the potential to significantly
reduce or completely eliminate the symptoms of the condition in most women.

Evening
Primrose

One of the most effective and well respected
treatments for fibrocystic breasts is evening primrose. Evening primrose (oenothera biennis) is a flowering plant
native to the Americas. Its oil has been
used as a medicinal aid for centuries which is why the plant has garnered the
nickname “Kings cureall.” Evening
primrose seeds contain a unique mixture of essential fatty acids, especially
gamma-linolenic acid, a compound that is used in reducing autoimmune
inflammations. This compound has also
shown promise for treating breast cancer, however this assertion has not been
clinically verified. Evening primrose oil is often used as a natural treatment
for PMS.

Tori Hudson, N.D., a naturopath and author of Women’s
Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine recommends her patients with fibrocystic
breasts ingest 3-4 grams of evening primrose oil daily, not just when symptoms
flare up. She reports that her patients
who follow this program see a complete relief of symptoms within three months.

Cindee Gardener, Ph.D., recommends taking 500
milligrams of evening primrose oil three to six times daily. She also notes it is important to drink
plenty of water simultaneously to help the oil flush out extra estrogen and
other environmental toxins.

Vitamin
E

Vitamin E has also been used as a natural treatment
for fibrocystic breasts. Tori Hudson
notes that some women find relief from the symptoms of fibroids by taking
400-800 IU daily. However, Hudson notes
that this treatment has received mixed results in clinical trials for the
reduction of tenderness and lumps.

Iodine

Iodine is a commonly recommended treatment for
fibrocystic breasts. It is an element
that plays a key role in the proper functioning of the human body. In addition to being used by the thyroid
gland to help regulate metabolic function, protein synthesis, and hormone
production throughout the body, iodine also plays a vital role in the proper immune
functions of the body. It is found in
notable levels in the thymus, the central gland of the immune system,
indicating iodine is essential for the production of mature white blood cells.

Iodine is also very effective in treating
fibroids. Dr. Dave Derry, breast health
specialist, states that “iodine enables the excess cells [in the breasts] to be
cleared out, and the breast can return to its…state as the fibrocystic disease
slowly disappears from the breast.” Dr.
Derry even goes so far as to assert that a lack of iodine in the body can lead
to the development of fibrocystic breasts.

When her patients are not finding relief with
evening primrose oil or vitamin E, Tori Hudson recommends they try supplemental
iodine, which is only available through prescription; however, there are several brands of liquid
iodine, such as Lugols, that can be purchased over the counter at alternative
health stores. Iodine can reduce the body’s
sensitivity to estrogen and can, as health writer Julia Tolliver Maranan notes,
“actually shrink the dense connective tissue, usually within three months.”

Dr. Jonathan Wright also utilizes iodine for the
treatment of fibrocystic breasts, recommending that mild to moderate cases
ingest both iodine and magnesium supplements.
For more severe cases, where the discomfort is interfering with daily
functioning, he suggests swabbing the interior of the vagina with iodine and
then following it immediately by an IV injection of magnesium. He writes, “The iodine needs to be placed as
close to the ovaries as possible to get the best results.” Dr. Wright asserts that within 60 minutes you
can feel the difference in the texture and consistency of breast tissue.

The iodine formula that Dr. Wright recommends to his
patients is called SSKI, a combination supplement of both iodine and
potassium. He suggests taking eight
drops of the formula daily in a glass of water or milk, however recommends that
when using this product that a close eye is kept on thyroid hormone levels as
iodine can disrupt normal function. Dr.
Wright states that he has seen this treatment show results after two to five
months.

Natural
Progesterone Cream

Several companies make natural progesterone creams
that are designed to be massaged into the breasts after the second week of the
monthly cycle to reduce symptoms of fibrocystic breasts. These creams deliver progesterone, the
counterbalance to estrogen, into the body directly through the skin. The direct application of the hormone cream
to areas with the fibroids can help break them up and reduce concentrated
estrogen levels quickly.

Flaxseed
Oil

Flaxseed oil contains phytoestrogens, a type of
plant formed estrogen compound similar to the hormone found in soybeans. However, unlike the specific phytoestrogens
found in soy, those found in flaxseed does not mimic human estrogens when it is
in the body. Instead, it binds with progesterone
receptors without stimulating them.
Elizabeth Smith, M.D., writes, “The flaxseed phytoestrogen competes with
other estrogens that would otherwise stimulate the estrogen receptor. The
flaxseed phytoestrogen acts as a blocker.”

Moderate amounts of flaxseed oil in the diet can
keep estrogen levels low and over time reduce the effects of fibrocystic
breasts.

Dietary
Adjustments

There are specific dietary adjustments an individual
can incorporate into their daily lifestyle to reduce the symptoms associated
with fibrocystic breasts. However, it is
important to note that these adjustments need to be utilized on a consistent
basis, not simply when symptoms flare, to see optimal results. Many substances that can trigger fibroids can
linger in the body for days after you have ingested them, so it can take
several months of reducing or being off of these triggers to start to see an
improvement.

Health writer Maranan suggests eliminating caffeine
completely from the diet, as well as dropping the amount of dietary fat
consumed to a meager 20% of all ingested calories. She also praises fiber as a key food product for
managing the condition, which she says will help the body remove estrogen.

Dr. Wright also supports cutting all sources of
caffeine from the diet; some sneaky sources of caffeine include chocolate, hot
cocoa, and over the counter weight loss aids like Dexatrim, and pain
medications, such as Excedrin.
Furthermore, items that state they are decaffeinated, such as decaf
coffee, are not completely caffeine free.
Decaf coffee is typically 97.9% caffeine free; for many people who are
caffeine sensitive this small percentage daily is not enough to cause an
adverse reaction, however is often enough to aggravate fibroids. Click here for
more information on how caffeine works and affects the body.

Castor
Oil Packs

Many health care providers and natural remedy
specialists recommend utilizing castor oil packs to reduce the uncomfortable
symptoms of fibrocystic breasts. Castor
oil has long been utilized in a variety of medicinal remedies throughout the
centuries. A vegetable oil procured from
the castor bean, there is evidence that cultures as far back as the ancient
Egyptians used castor oil to treat a wide range of issues, from burns to cuts
to constipation to labor pains.

While castor oil can be ingested, it can also be
used as a compress on the skin since the compounds in the oil are small enough to
permeate the pores and enter the blood stream.
Due to ricinoleic acid, one of the active ingredients in the oil, castor
oil compresses act as an anti-inflammatory and can soothe swelling. Because of this ability, it has been favored
by many physicians and alternative specialists for reducing lumpiness and pain
associated with fibrocystic breasts.

To utilize a castor oil pack, pour the oil on a
flannel swatch of fabric and ensure it is soaked (not dripping though). Place
the pack on the breasts and then add a heating pad on top of the pack and turn
it to medium or high heat. Leave the
pack on for an hour to an hour and a half and complete the ritual daily. The result will be noticeably and immediately
less tender breast tissue and a reduction in fibroid firmness. These effects should last for 12-16 hours.

Other
Treatments

Another treatment that has been suggested by several
naturopaths for the treatment of fibrocystic breasts is dandelion root, which
is often praised for its ability to boost the natural cleansing of estrogen
receptors throughout the body.

Borage oil is derived from a flowering plant found
through Europe that contains the same active ingredient as evening primrose,
gamma-linolenic acid. It is believed to
help reduce the discomfort associated with fibrocystic breasts by reducing
inflammation of breast tissue and cutting swelling. It also effectively aids in the absorption of
iodine in the body. Clinical trials on
the compound have been mixed.

Some alternative remedy specialists have suggested
that, just as “moss doesn’t grow on a rolling stone,” breasts that have lots of
movement – and therefore lots of circulation – are less susceptible to
developing fibroids. This thought process has led some to suggest the
incorporation of activities that create movement in the breasts, such as
running for fifteen minutes daily or jumping on a small trampoline for ten to
thirty minutes daily. Massaging with
castor oil has also been suggested as a good way to move tissue around and
prevent buildup of estrogen fluid.

Conclusion

For many women, fibrocystic breasts and the
discomfort they cause are considered just a natural part of being a woman. The
waxing and waning of symptoms are often dealt with for a week or so every month
and then forgotten until the same time in the next cycle; however, there are a
variety of treatments that a woman can incorporate on a daily basis that will
not only reduce these symptoms but also improve her overall breast and body
health.

The condition may alarm some due to its surface
level similarity to breast cancer, however at this time there is no conclusive
evidence to suggest that fibrocystic breasts are in any way a precursor to
malignant growths. Some medical professionals have claimed this link over the
years, however the substance of such cancer-fibrocystic breast studies has been
deemed questionable or unable to be replicated.

However, the problem of estrogen dominance, a
condition that is considered to be a front runner cause for fibrocystic
breasts, has been conclusively proven to be a cancer trigger. Therefore, while fibrocystic breasts are not
something to panic over as they themselves don’t lead to cancer, they can be an
indication and a monthly warning that the body has
too much estrogen floating around. Click here to read more about estrogen dominance.

At the very least, fibrocystic breasts are a
reminder to all women who experience them that breast health and active breast
monitoring should be of paramount importance when it comes to basic self-care.

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